You may have seen this disease without even knowing it! If you see scorched leaves on your plants, fire blight may be the culprit. It’s common right now, so be on the lookout!
Fire blight is a bacteria, which can enter into the system of a tree either by a weak, susceptible spot or by an insect. Bradford Pears or Crabapple trees are just two examples of trees that are commonly affected by fire blight. The disease will typically affect new growth first, causing visible dieback on the plant. You may see the leaves begin to turn brown or black (aka “scorched”), but usually, the leaves will not fall off. Fire blight spreads most effectively in hot, moist weather, like the weather we’re experiencing now: more and more heat, but thunderstorms still keeping moisture in the air.
How to Combat Fire Blight
The best way to combat this disease is by keeping your plants healthy; preventative care is always a good place to start. The healthier a tree is, the more likely it can protect itself against insects and diseases. A healthy tree is strong and can defend itself from attacks from outside sources that aim to weaken or kill it. While fire blight can’t kill a tree all on its own, it usually doesn’t show up without multiple other stressors being present first, and multiple agents stressing the tree can kill it.
Get With the Program
So what can you do about this bacteria that cause serious harm to your plants? Get them on a tree and shrub care program. These programs provide multiple applications that benefit trees and plants, whether it’s providing basic nutrients or combating specific infestations or infections.
Call our office at 864-244-3088 to schedule an appointment with one of our Certified Arborists so that you can get your trees and plants on a program that will keep them looking healthy and beautiful. We provide a wide range of tree service options to meet your specific needs.
